Public Safety & Law Studies Pathway

"The big cases don't matter. It's the every day cases. It's the little tiny victories of giving somebody an answer that they really needed to hear or some closure that they really needed to have. - Pricilla Doyle, Forensic Death Investigator and FSW Adjunct Professor

A program in this pathway may be for you if you enjoy:

  • serving your community and its citizens
  • having a desire to help others through difficult situations
  • making a difference in the lives of others
  • utilizing your interpersonal skills to defuse potentially volatile situations
  • collecting and analyzing evidence
  • investigating crimes and working to prosecute offenders
  • navigating the complex structure of our legal system
  • maintaining order in a community, courtroom, jail, or prison
  • having an overall altruistic feeling that you are in a career that truly helps others

Coursework in this pathway will equip you with foundational knowledge for entry into and future advancement opportunities within respective public safety and law related fields.

Explore the programs in this Pathway by selecting where you'd like your program to lead you.

If You Want to...

Then You Should Explore...
Transfer to a University or complete your bachelor's at FSW AA Transfer Pathways
Enter the workforce or pursue specialized bachelor's degrees Associate in Science (AS) Degree Programs
Enter the workforce or pursue advanced degrees Bachelor's (BAS or BS) Degree Programs
Enhance skills for a specific job Certificate (CCC, ATC, PSAV) Programs

AA Transfer Pathways

If you want to transfer to a University or complete your bachelor's at FSW, an Associate in Arts (AA) degree can be tailored so you can transfer into any major in the State University System. 

Criminal Justice

Forensic Studies

Law & Politics



Associate in Science (AS) Programs

If you want to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation or have an interest in pursuing a specialized bachelor's degree program (like our Public Safety Administration Bachelor's Degree Program), one of these two-year degree programs might be for you.

Crime Scene Technology

Criminal Justice Technology

Paralegal Studies

College Credit Certificate (CCC) Programs

If you want to enhance your skills for a specific job, this type of program might be for you. CCCs require fewer credits and they may apply to an associate degree. 

Crime Scene Technician

Digital Forensics

Homeland Security Specialist

Real Estate Paralegal

Risk Management & Insurance Management

Bachelor of Science or Applied Science (BS or BAS) Programs

If you want to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation or have an interest in pursuing advanced degrees (masters, doctorate), this four-year degree obtained by completing 60 hours of general education courses (usually an AA or an AS) followed by 60 hours of major specific coursework might be for you. 

Public Safety Administration



Public Safety Administration, BAS

Did you know that many of the programs in the Public Safety & Law Studies Pathway can be the stepping stone to our bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration? From strategic planning to homeland security, the programs at FSW have you covered.

Customize your own path!

Our Associate in Arts (AA) degree can be tailored to prepare you for ANY bachelor's degree program. Contact one of our champions for more information.

For questions about this Pathway, contact one of our Champions!

Matthew Hoffman

Professor, Paralegal and Business mhoffman4@fsw.edu

Brian O'Reilly

Professor, Criminal Justice boreilly@fsw.edu

Victoria SanFilippo

Library Technology Systems Specialist vsanfilippo@fsw.edu

Caroline Siefert

Coordinator, Retention and Student Success caroline.siefert@fsw.edu

Explore pathways similar to Public Safety & Law Studies.